Wednesday, June 30, 2010

Waltzingmouse Day 3 -Sneak Peek - Some Feng Shui!

Welcome to Day 3 of the DT Waltzingmouse Sneak Peeks! Today I'm highlighting the Asian Gardens Additions set!

I call this my 'Feng Shui' card because it's clean and serene! I made it by masking and sponging with 4 different colors and then stamping the images in black. I added 3 tiny black pearls - can you find them?! (one in the corner - two on the bridge)

I found this wonderful silver Asian style ceramic candle holder at TJ Maxx and More - so I just had to decorate a candle to put on top of it!

I stamped the images on tissue paper - placed the tissue paper against the candle - wrapped waxed paper around the candle and heated over the wax paper and image with my hot gun. This melts the tissue paper into the candle and it ends up looking like I stamped directly onto the candle!
I added a strip of black card stock at the top and bottom and tied twine around the top with an Asian coin.
I made a matching card to go along with the candle in case I give it as a gift to someone!

Now you'll want to check out Claire's blog as well as these DT members who are posting sneak peeks today too!
Claire, Belinda, Bonnie, Anya, Julia (me!), Lisa, Carly (our new DT member!),
Jennifer, Lynn, Edna (our July Guest DT member!), Laurie

Tomorrow (7/1) is release day for all 6 of Claire's new WMS stamp sets! whoo hoo! I hope you have your list ready of what you want to purchase! Claire's stamps seem to sell out quickly!

We'll also be having a DT Blog Waltz tomorrow - so please to be sure to come by! It will start at Claire's blog at 2 pm EST. And you will have 2 chances to win free stamp sets!
FREE SHIPPING for the July release! We're having a FREE SHIPPING promotion, just like we did in May. This means that orders over £50 GBP placed between Thursday and Saturday this week (7/1 - 7/3) will get FREE shipping! (£50GBP is roughly equivalent to $75 USD, $86.20 AUD, $78 CAD and €61 Euros at today's rate from XE.com , subject to change)

Stamps: Waltzingmouse - Asian Gardens Additions
Paper: Vintage Cream, White - PTI, Basic Black - SU, tissue paper, waxed paper
Ink: Memento Tuxedo Black, Sage Shadow, Baja Breeze, Soft Sky, Creamy Caramel - SU
Accessories: Eclipse Masking tape, Black pearls - Amuse, twine, Asian coin - unknown, Asian charm - unknown, candle ($4.99) & ceramic stand ($5.99) - TJ Maxx & More

Tuesday, June 29, 2010

Waltzingmouse Day 2 - Sneak Peek - Hand Baked

Today I have another Sneak Peek from the Rescue Remedies stamp set that will be released on July 1. I love making packages for gift giving so this set is right up my alley!

Today I used the label stamp that says 'Hand Baked & Edible Goods" how fun is that! So of course I decorated a bag and packaged some edible goods in it!


I filled my clear flat bottom bag with 6 biscotti dipped in dark chocolate - Yum!!! (although NOT hand made!).

Today I wanted to use this set without sponging or distressing to see if it still works using bright colors and a more modern look - and I think it does don't you??

All I added was a little bling to the center of the flowers and some white gel pen dots on the vines. I stamped the big flower and leaves, cut them out and added them to the bottom of the tag with a foam dimensional.

Here's the label I made and attached to the back of the bag - so the receiver will know just who gave them this wonderful hand made, beautiful, delicious gift!!!

And just a reminder - these label stamp set fit the Labels Four Nestabilities!

Now please check out Claire's blog as well as these DT members who are posting sneak peeks today too! I hope you'll stop by again tomorrow - I'll have a sneak peek of another new set!!
Claire

Belinda

Bonnie
Anya
Julia (me!)
Lisa
Carly (please welcome our new DT member!)
Jennifer

Lynn
Edna (please welcome our July Guest DT member!)


Stamps: Waltzingmouse - Rescue Remedies

Paper: White, Hibiscus Burst - PTI

Ink: Memento Tuxedo Black, Ripe Avocado & Hibiscus - PTI

Accessories: Foam dimensionals, flat bottom bag - Clearbags.com, Scor Tape, Ribbon - May arts from Stamp Simply Ribbon Store, 1" circle punch - SU, labels four Nestabilities, gemstones - Hero Arts, white gel pen, brown basket shred, Nonni's Biscotti

Monday, June 28, 2010

Waltzingmouse Day 1 - Sneak Peek: Balm of Friendship

Welcome to the first day of the Design Team Sneak Peeks for the Waltzingmouse July release! Claire has created 6 new sets for us this month - and just wait until you see them!!!

Today I am using stamps from two of the new sets - Rescue Remedies and Victorian Fripperie (don't you just love that name!?!)

I started out with this pump bottle of body lotion that I picked up at a discount store - notice it's colorful modern label!

Using stamps from Rescue Remedies and Victorian Fripperie I transformed this modern day bottle into a vintage style gift that any lady would love to have sitting on her bureau or bedside table!This wonderful vintage label (from Rescue Remedies) is designed to look like an old medicine bottle label - There are 5 labels in this fun set! AND they fit in the Labels Four Nestabilities - whoo hoo!!
I stamped a panel of the Victorian Fripperie background stamp to wrap around the bottle. I added a pretty lace ribbon along the top edge. Everything is sponged in Ranger Tea Die Ink. Most of the edges have been distressed.
I found a great tutorial for these vintage look flowers - each flower is made from a piece of card stock cut with a flower die that you crease and fold and crumple until the layers start separating. Then you fold up each petal till you like how it looks and add a brad to the center. Easy peasy and they look so wonderful don't they?!

Now you really need to check out what new stamps Claire and these other DT members are spotlighting today! Please stop by tomorrow and I'll have another sneak peek for you!
Julia (me!)
Carly (please welcome our new DT member!)
Edna (please welcome our July Guest DT member!)

Stamps: Waltzingmouse - Victorian Fripperie, Rescue Remedies (to be released 7/1)
Paper: Rustic White, Hibiscus Burst - PTI, DP - Webster Pagers Collection Combo Pack/Lullaby Lane & Life Portraits
Ink: Memento Tuxedo Black, Ranger Tead Die and Peeled Paint Distress Inks.
Accessories: Flower dies- PTI, Basic Grey Enamel Brads, Ranger Distresser, lace - Ellen Hutson LLC, sponge, foam dimensionals, Scor Tape, Label Four Nestabilities, Prisma Leaf, corner rounder.

Saturday, June 26, 2010

Waltzingmouse Saturday Sketch - WMSC4

Please scroll down to see my Speedy the Cat's Friends Challenge card on the post below this one!

Welcome to week 4 of the Waltzingmouse Saturday Sketch Chellenge! Be sure to check out who won from last week and the deets for this weeks challenge over at the challenge blog.

I thought this weeks sketch was kind of challenging - it seems pretty specific with all those circles doesn't it??
I really wanted to use my Asian Gardens stamp set for this challenge. At first I thought I would just stamp the Sakura flowers and have them all in a circle - but that ended up looking kind of 'blech' !!! LOL!

So I came up with the idea of using a large scallop circle nestability frame - making an outline circle by cutting a larger circle die with a smaller one inside. Then I stamped it with the background stamp in the set.

I used different size circle and oval punches for my images and sentiment. The ring and images are all popped up on foam dimensionals accept for the sentiment.

These pretty origami paper panels are thick like cloth. I used two different patterns for the panels on my card.
Here's what I stamped on the inside. This verse is from the Words of Wisdom set.

So check out the challenge blog - make your sketch card and get it posted on Mr. Linky by Thursday 7/1/10 at 11:59 pm EST. I can't wait to see what you create this week!

If you post on Split Coast please use WMSC4 in your keywords!

PRIZE NOTICE! : this week - if we reach 100 people linking their cards to the sketch challenge - one lucky winner (chosen randomly!) will win a stamp set of their choice - AND it can be from the July 1 release! Whoo hoo!

Claire and the Design Team will be having sneak peeks of the new sets starting Monday 6/28 so be sure to check back! There are some really super stamps coming out on 7/1 !!!

Stamps: Waltzingmouse - Asian Gardens, Words of Wisdom

Paper: Vintage Cream, Enchanted Evening - PTI, Origami Paper Aizomedi Gogami

Ink: Enchanted Evening - PTI

Accessories: Big scallop Circle Nestabilities, Large oval punch - SU, 3/4", 1" & 1 1/2" circle punches, foam dimensionals.

Speedy the Cats' Friends Challenge #9 - Use 3 Flowers

Happy Saturday everyone! This week the Speedy the Cats' Friends Challenge is from Vicki - and she wants us to use 3 flowers on our card. Do you think I could have just made a card with this pretty DP and nothing else?? There have to be about 100 flowers on it don't there?!?!? LOL

Well, instead of going that route - I decided I'd better use some Marks Finest Papers stamps on my card! This beautiful Camellia flower and Get Well sentiment are from a set called Apples and Camellia that will be available in July (just want to tease you with it until then!!)

I stamped the flower 3 times on purple DP and colored over parts of it with a Copic marker to give it some depth. I cut out layers from each stamping and popped them up over one another for even more dimension. I layered the whole bloom onto a lime panel cut with a Big Scalloped Circle Nestability.

The sentiment is cut with a Fancy Tags Shapeability that I sponged with Milled Lavender Ranger Distress ink before taking it out of the die. I colored the two small flowers with a Copic and layered them over the tag.

And finally - I added some tiny bling to the flower centers and on the DP.

All of the paper is from MFP - ivory linen card, Lime Squeeze circle, Egyptian Gold and crisp copper kettle framing panels. DP is Basic Grey/Kioshi Paper Pad

We'd love to have you join us in the challenges over on Marks Finest Papers Blog and to link your 3 flower card there. You could win a free stamp set!

If you load your card over at Split Coast Stampers, please use Speedy's Friends in your keywords.

Stamps: Marks Finest Papers - Apples & Camellia (to be released in July)
Paper: textured cream, metalic gold, metalic bronze, lime green - Marks Finest Papers, DP - Basic Grey/Kioshi Paper Pad
Ink: Memento Tuxedo Black, Milled Lavender & Tea Dye - Ranger Distress Ink
Accessories: Big Scalloped Circle Nestability, foam dimensionals, Copic- BV31, sponge, Fancy Tags Shapeabilities, pink gems - Crystal Stickers, Flowers - Michaels (Bridal section), glue dots.

Friday, June 25, 2010

Friday Stamp Simply Challenge - Inspired by Yellow and Grey

Today Sharon has this lovely den/livingroom picture to inspire us to use yellow and grey with white or ivory.

As soon as I saw the picture I knew I'd be using my couch stamps from PTI. I used the Traffic Jam Embossing Folder to create the look of the cupboards in the background and Basic Grey Archaic for the rug! As you can see - I get very literal when using an inspiration picture!

This is my last week as Guest Designer for Stamp Simply - time sure does fly when you're having fun!!! Thank you so much Sharon for inviting me to share with all of you this month!

We'd love to have you join along in the Stamp Simply Challenge with us this week! You can play anytime, as many times as you want! If you upload your creation to Splitcoaststampers, please use keyword, ssnotime145. And don't forget to upload over on Sharon's Mr Linky!~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
Check the wonderfully talented Stamp Simply Challenge Designers to see how they used these colors today!

Sharon Johnson: No Time To Stamp?
Julia Aston (me!) : Create with Me - June GUEST DESIGNER
Deb Neerman: Paper, Ink, Scissors & Stamps
Barbara Anders: Paper Pursuits
Jenny Gropp: One Krafty Kat.
Janine Orchard: 2bKrafty
AJ Otto: The Willow Garden
Deb Saaranen: Dream In Color
Barb Schram: Explore Dream Discover

Stamps: On my Couch, On My Couch Additions, Chair-ished - PTI
Paper: White, Lemon Tart - PTI, Going Grey - SU, DP Amuse yellow gingham, Basic Grey Archaic
Ink: Dark Chocolate, SUmmer Sunrise - PTI, Memento Tuxedo Black
Accessories: Swiss Dots & Traffic Jam Cuttlebug Embossing folders, key tag punch - SU, Couch Die - PTI, sponge, foam dimensionals, Copics: B41, YG03, E37

Wednesday, June 23, 2010

Moxie Fab World - Framed with Flowers

This gorgeous flowered halter top is the Tuesday Trigger over at Moxie Fab World this week

Instead of a card - I decided to decorate this wooden frame that I had previously painted with Ranger Distress Crackle ink but never did anything with (!!!???). I used Tim Holtz Tattered Flowers Sizzix dies to cut my flowers. The colors are Melon Berry card stock, yellow Mulberry paper and some white printed tissue paper (that was wrapped around my recent purchase of some Benefit cosmetics!) After die cutting the flowers - I crinkled them all up - edged them with a white gel pen, layered each flower and held it with a brad in the center.

I used two stamp sets from Waltzingmouse Stamps for my framed sentiment - the frame is from Vintage Labels No 1 and the sentiment is from Earth Angel. I embossed the black background with Tim Holtz Sizzix Checker board

So check out all the fun at Moxie Fab World Tuesday Trigger and load your halter inspired card/project on Mr Linky over there!

Stamps: Waltzingmouse - Vintage Labels No 1, Earth Angel
Paper: Melon Berry - PTI, yellow Mulberry - AC Moore, text tissue paper.
Ink: Memento Tuxedo Black,Melon Berry - PTI
Accessories: Ranger Distress Crackle paint - Picket Fence, Wooden frame - Michaels, ribbon - PTI, Tim Holtz tattered florals Sizzix die, Basic Grey painted brads, Tim Holtz sizzix embossing folder - checker board, glue dots, scor tape.

Tuesday, June 22, 2010

A Classic Dream

Pam Wooten (Iris on SCS) was the Featured Stamper on Split Coast this week - what bright fun cards she has in her gallery.


I chose to CASE her Car Classic card . I used an even more vintage car than she did (a model T!) changed the size of the card and the colors, but kept the same general theme!


My stamps are all from Rubbernecker Stamps . (Note - Rubbernecker is revamping their web site to be more user friendly and so it appears to be out of commission right now - keep checking back, I'm sure it will be live again soon!) I did a lot of sponging with Ranger Distress Ink and distressed the edges. I used rectangle and scalloped rectangle nestabilities.


Thanks for stopping by today dear friends!

Advance notice: I've got some great WMS sneak peeks coming up starting on Monday of next week - Claire is releasing 6 new sets on July 1 - whoo hoo!! Wait till you see them!

Stamps: Rubbernecker - Vintage Model T #502-02, Dare to Dream from Distressed set Scuffs, Scrapes & Stains #461
Paper: Vintage Cream, Scarlet Jewell - PTI, DP Basic Grey paper pad/Indian Summer, Paper Pizzazz - Road Map
Ink: Ranger Distress inks - aged mahagony, Tea Dye
Accessories: rectangle & scalloped rectangle nestabilities, charm - Karen Foster, Foam Dimensionals, glue dots, Ranger distresser, sponge

Monday, June 21, 2010

Wind and Sea, Earth and Sky

Today's Clean and Simple challenge on Split Coast was to follow the sketch based on Diane's pretty card below.
And this is the card I created.
To make the color stripes - I used alcohol inks on a felt pad that I swiped across my glossy card stock. Then I stamped the weed and sentiment using Memento Tuxedo Black ink over the swipe. The alcohol inks dry almost immediately. (The middle color is magenta IRL for some reason it looks purple in the pic!?)


I used this applicator from Ranger to apply the ink to the card. The felt pads stick to the velcro on the wooden applicator. I used Wild Plum, Lettuce and Stonewashed alcohol inks by Adirondack.

The weed and sentiment stamps are from Rubbernecker.

Stamps: Rubbernecker - Weeds #497-06, Petite Word Set #2000
Paper: Glossy white card stock - SU
Ink: Adirondack Alcohol Inks - Wild Plum, Lettuce, Stonewashed, Memento Tuxedo Black
Accessories: Ink Applicator, Felt Pads - Ranger

Sunday, June 20, 2010

A Ribbon Rose and a Thank You Kindly

I just had to try a ribbon rose that Julia showed us on her card for the Ways to Use it Challenge - Raving on Ribbon - over on Split Coast last Thursday.

I didn't have any narrow silk ribbon like she used - so I tried it with the more rustic/homespun saddle stitched ribbon. She used a hot glue gun to adhere her ribbon but I just covered a white card stock circle with Scor Tape, twisted the ribbon and pushed it against the Scor Tape as I laid it down in a swirl starting at the center.

My center orange piece wasn't twisted quite tight enough but I'm happy with how it came out for my first try!

I embossed my Fabriano note card with a long rectangle Nestability and stamped my sentiment right on the card. I adhered the flower to the card with more Scor Tape to be sure it held on!

My sentiment is from Fancy Phrases by Waltzingmouse Stamps

It'll be fun to see how different ribbons look using this technique!

Stamps: Waltzingmouse Stamps - Fancy Phrases
Paper: Fabriano Note Card,
Ink: Memento Tuxedo Black
Accessories: Saddle Stitched Ribbon , Enchanted Evening, Orange Zest, Ripe Avocado - PTI, Scor Tape, Long Rectangle Nestability, glue dot

Saturday, June 19, 2010

WMSC3 Saturday Sketch Challenge

To see my card for the Saturday Speedy the Cats' Friends Challenge please scroll down to the post below!


Can you believe it's already the 3rd week of the Waltzingmouse Saturday Sketch Chellenges!?! Be sure to check out who won from last week and the deets for this weeks challenge over at the challenge blog. Are you ready for the next one?!?! Well - here it is!

Since I'm a list maker - I love making or altering notebooks to keep in my purse or on my work table. Today I altered a little 3 1/4" x 4 1/2" Composition Notebook (you know - the kind with the black and white fronts?!) They have them at CVS and Staples.

I used the sketch for the design on the front cover. I suggested this sentiment to Claire when she told the DT she was going to design a Tea Stamp set - so I've been dying to use it on a project!! I used both Afternoon Tea and Afternoon Tea Sentiments on this project.

I wanted to share a few pictures of how I put this together. The ribbon actually extends beyond the top so it can be used as a bookmark.

The ribbon is 11". Below you can see how I put Scor Tape on the lower section of the ribbon (about 5 1/2") just make sure the untaped part of the ribbon will fold over into the notebook and have at least 1/2" extend out the bottom (see my first pic above).


I folded a little bit around onto the bottom inside of the front cover to hold it in place before I adhered the inside DP. I had the tape long enough to adhere to the front cover but not past the top edge.

Here you see the ribbon/bookmark sticking up and the inside of the front cover panel completely covering the little ribbon piece on the bottom. I also stamped this fun stamp "Soothe Away the Day"image. (The white leaf is part of the DP - it looks pretty doesn't it!?)

And here is what I stamped on the inside of the back cover.

These are the measurements for the panels in case you would like to try this on the same size notebook.

3 1/4" x 4 1/2" Composition Notebook

Outside covers - cut 2 - 2 7/8" x 4 1/2"

Strip for front cover - cut 1 - 1 1/2" x 4 1/2"

Inside Covers - cut 2 - 3 1/4" x 4 1/2"

1 1/2" x 2 1/2 piece for sentiment

1 1/2" x 1" piece for tea cups

Ribbon - 11"

So get your sketch card created and add it to Mr. Linky over at the WMS Challenge blog ! ETA: the Deadline is Thursday 6/24 11:59 PM EST.

If you load your card on Splitcoast or other galleries please use WMSC3 in your keywords.

Stamps: Waltzingmouse - Afternoon Tea, Afternoon Tea Sentiments

Paper: Basic Grey/Kioshi Paper Pad, Composition Notebook

Ink: Memento Tuxedo Black

Accessories: corner rounder, ribbon Aqua Mist- PTI, Scor Tape, Petite Oval Nestabilities, Copic G82

Speedy the Cats' Friends Challenge #8 Embossing

Welcome to Speedy the Cat's Friends challenge! This Saturday the challenge is to use embossing on your card.


These great cowboy stamps are from a set called Southwest Cowboy that will be released in July by Marks Finest Papers.

I black embossed the cowboy, row of cactus and sentiment on a panel cut with a square Nestability. The copper color paper is a wonderful metallic paper from MFP - I'm afraid you cannot appreciate the shine in the photo. I sponged the textured cream cardstock (also MFP!) with Ranger Tea Dye ink to give it that dusty desert feel!!

Here's what I stamped on the inside of my card. I just love the barbed wire! What a great set for those masculine cards we all need from time to time!

We'd love to have you join us in this embossing challenge - jump on over to Marks Finest Papers Blog and link your embossed card there. You could win a free stamp set!!

If you load your card on Split Coast please use Speedy's Friends in your keywords.
Stamps: Marks Finest Papers: Southwest Cowboy (being released July 1)
Paper: Marks Finest Papers - crisp copper kettle paper,
Ink: Versamark, Ranger Distress Ink - Tea Dye
Accessories: black embossing powder, hot gun, square nestabilities, cuttlebug, sponge, foam dimensionals, hot gun, fancy tags shapeabilities (with curly ends cut off)

Friday, June 18, 2010

Friday Stamp Simply Challenge - A Sketch

Today's Stamp Simply Challenge is to make a card using the sketch Sharon created below.
Here's the card I made for the challenge.

The stamps are Waltzingmouse - Irish Blessings and Celtic Heritage. I embossed the first panel with Diamonds in the Rough Cuttlebug folder. The lacey strip is a Martha Stewart punch. The DP strip is a piece of digital designer paper from WMS called Celtic Squares.

I thought this would make a good masculine birthday card with the blue color and minimal frills! Here's what I stamped on the inside of my card today.

We'd love to have you join in on the Stamp Simply Challenge with us this week! You can play anytime! If you upload your creation to Splitcoaststampers, please use keyword ssnotime144 And don't forget to upload over on Sharon's Mr Linky!~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

Please check out the talented Stamp Simply Challenge Designers to see how they used this fun sketch!

Sharon Johnson: No Time To Stamp?
Julia Aston (me!) : Create with Me - June GUEST DESIGNER
Barbara Anders: Paper Pursuits
Jenny Gropp: One Krafty Kat.
Janine Orchard: 2bKrafty
AJ Otto: The Willow Garden (Sitting out this week)
Deb Saaranen: Dream In Color

Stamps: Waltzingmouse - Irish Blessings & Celtic Heritage
Paper: Digital DP Celtic Squares - Waltzingmouse Stamps, Vintage cream, enchanted evening - PTI
Ink: Enchanted evening - PTI
Accessories: Long rectangle & scalloped rectangle nestabilities, diamonds in the rough Cuttlebug embossing folder, distresser, Martha Stewart Lacey punch, dew drop, glue dot.

Thursday, June 17, 2010

Friends of WMS Blog Waltz - Dad's Stuff

Come on over to the Waltzingmouse Forum - we're having a Blog Waltz in the Playroom. The theme this month is "Let's Hear it for the Boys: Masculine Cards". Instead of a card - I made a sturdy little notebook for Dad to use in the garage or basement workshop that he can just tuck into his shirt pocket when he hurries off to the mans store (Home Depot or Lowes!) to pick up those nuts and bolts he needs. He'll have his list all handy dandy so he won't forget what he went to the store for!

I used cardboard for the front and back covers stamping the front with images from Little Box Labels, Off Beat Backgrounds and Free Spirit - Boys. I used just the grid bg stamp on the insides and back cover. Then I sponged all over them with Ranger tea die distress ink. I bound it all together with my Bind it All (I just love making my own little notebooks!!) This book is about 2 1/2" x 4".

Now - check my picture again and count up all the little Japanese Lantern watermarks you see. You need to add up the total lantern's hidden by the Design Team members participating in the Waltz today and enter that number in the Playroom forum. One correct entry will win a free WMS stamp set of their choice!!

One random winner will be chosen from all those posting links to their Blog Waltz projects over in the Playroom!

Stamps: Waltzingmouse Stamps - Little Box Labels (Dad's Stuff), Off Beat Backgrounds (Grid), Free Spirit - Boy (bike, star, skateboarder, square, tone bars, Rte 66 sign)
Paper: Lined paper pad - PTI, cover board - Zutter
Ink: Memento Tuxedo Black, Ranger Distress Ink - Tea Dye
Accessories: Zutter Bind it All, 5/8" black O wire, sponge.

Wednesday, June 16, 2010

Embellish Color Label Challenge!

Finally! Here's my card for the Embellish Magazine Labels Color challenge. I've had this challenge printed out and sitting on my work table for a week or so and the deadline is 6/17 so I suddenly realized I'd better get my card made! Not only is the challenge from the beautiful new on line magazine - Embellish - but this month Waltzingmouse Stamps is sponsoring the challenge!

So the challenge is:
1) Use the colors yellow, brown and coral
2) create a label to highlight an image or sentiment.

My stamps are all WMS - the label is from Very Vintage Christmas and the sentiment it highlights is from Fancy Phrases. I embossed the card with the Textile Cuttlebug folder and punched the edge with a Martha Stewart punch. I sponged the sentiment oval before taking it out of the Nestability I cut it with. I layered it over the label with foam dimensionals.

I put a big eyelet on the end of the tag and the beautiful silk ribbon is tied through it and around the punched panel.

You can check out all the lovely challenge cards here. And you can add your own creation to Mr Linky if you get it done before 6/17/10 at 11:59 pm EST!!!

Stamps: Waltzingmouse - Very Vintage Christmas, Fancy Phrases
Paper: White, lemon tart, dark chocolate - PTI, Cameo Coral - SU
Ink: Dark chocolate - PTI, so saffron, cameo coral - SU
Accessories: Oval nestability, sponge, silk ribbon - May Arts/Stamp Simply Ribbon Store, foam dimensionals, heart bling - Amuse, textile cuttlebug folder, martha stewart punch, jumbo eyelet - SU, cropadile.

Tuesday, June 15, 2010

Flying with One Layer

I love when I can hit two challenges with one card!

The Clean and Simple challenge over at Split Coast on Monday was 'things that fly' - and the New Technique challenge was to make a one layer card.

So the flying component is obviously my cute little stamped plane with it's message flag from PTI. I've been dying to use this little set and this seemed the perfect challenge! I attached a little gem star to the tail of the plane but you can hardly see it in the pic.

I stamped the images on a piece of DP that had the houses and scalloped edge already on it. (The good people over at Eclectic paperie included a pad of DP as a gift in my recent order and this piece is from that pad- how fun is that?!? )

I adhered the full panel to the card stock so I hope this still qualifies as one layer!? I colored the images with copics to coordinate with the house colors.

Inside I stamped another banner with 'Happy Birthday' on it.

Stamps: Papertrey Ink - Fly Away
Paper: White - PTI, DP Nikki Sivils Scrapbooker/Victorias Street
Ink: Memento Tuxedo Black
Accessories: copics: BG32, R08, YR02, BG10, Amuse Sticky Star

Monday, June 14, 2010

Advance Notice! Friends of WMS Blog Waltz Coming 6/17!


We hope you have all marked your calendars for Thursday, June 17th... the date of our monthly Friends of Waltzingmouse Stamps Blog Waltz! They are always on the 17th of each month so that you can plan ahead.

The fun will begin at 7:00 am Pacific, 8:00 am Mountain, 9:00 am Central, 10:00 am Eastern, 3:00 pm GMT!

Our theme this month is Let's hear it for the boys... masculine cards/projects! All we ask is that you use Waltzingmouse Stamps stamps (and/or templates) for your blog waltz cards/projects.

As always, the festivities will take place in the Play Room in the Waltzingmouse House forum. (If you haven't registered yet for the forum, it's just a few clicks away!) The threads will go live when the waltz begins... one for you to post your blog address if you are participating in the waltz, and another for chat.

And of course there will be prizes!!! A stamp set of choice awarded randomly to one of those who participate in the Blog Waltz, and a stamp set of choice awarded randomly for one who correctly states the number of special watermarks found on the Design Team (and Claire's) cards/projects!

We'd love it if you would post the Blog Waltz badge above on your blogs to help spread the word, linking back to this post. For those who participate in the waltz, please include the Blog Waltz badge at the top of your post so that we can easily find you.

Saturday, June 12, 2010

Vintage Inspiration & a CASE

I have two cards to share with you today - both from Split Coast Challenges.

Thanks to Anne, the host for this week, for the lovely vintage web site Roses & Teacups to inspire us for the Inspiration Challenge.

I do not usually do (nor am I very good at!) shabby chic vintagey stuff - BUT I have some new vintage photo stamps from Rubbernecker Stamps that I have been wanting to try out!

So my inspiration was this Victorian Thank you card.I inked the sweet sister image (Vintage sisters #502-04 ) in Ranger Distress Vintage Photo ink and colored it with coloured pencils and gamsol. The background Nestie Labels 8 panel is stamped with the Victorian Damask Panel #498 in Vintage Photo ink. I sponged all the edges with Ranger Distress Tea Dye Ink. The rose is from a set of three from Michaels I found in the bridal section - I sponged it with Tea Dye ink to make it look aged. I was pleased with how this came out - maybe I CAN do a little shabby chic once in a while!

Stamps: Rubbernecker: Victorian Damask Panel #498, Vintage Sisters 001 #502-04
Paper: bazzill blue, sweet blush, spring rain, vintage cream - PTI
Ink: Ranger Distress ink - Vintage Photo, Tea Dye
Accessories: sponge, foam dimensionals, vintage buttons & twine - PTI, Nestability Labels 8, Koh-I-noor colour pencils, gamsol, flower - Michaels (bridal section), glue dots, lace - Ellen Hutson LLC

My second card to share with you was made for the Featured Stamper challenge.

I was so happy to see by good blogging friend, LeAnne, as the FS today! Her cards are super so it was easy to find something I wanted to CASE. I chose her Pocket Silhouette card.
I used different stamps, a different edge punch and I centered the sketch. I also used River Rock instead of Sahara Sand.
All the stamps on my card are by Rubbernecker Stamps I used a Vine stamp on the background panel - the Victorian Damask panel stamp on the strip - both using white ink. I stamped another vine stamp for the main panel in River Rock ink with a weed stamp (#497-04) over it in black.
Reminder to check out these two weekly challenges!
Stamps: Rubbernecker - Victorian Damask Panel #498, Vines Set #495, Weeds #497-04
Paper: River Rock, Basic Black - SU, Vintage Cream - PTI
Ink: Fresh Snow - PTI, Memento Tuxedo Black, River Rock -SU
Accessories: foam dimensionals, EK success edge punch, black pearls - Amuse

WMS Saturday Sketch Challenge

To see my Speedy the Cats' Friends Challenge card, please scroll down to the post below this one!

Welcome to the Saturday Waltzingmouse Sketch Challenge. Here's the sketch Claire designed for us this week - isn't it a great one?!?
And here's my card using the sketch.

Today I made a masculine card - using darker colors and just plain punched circles instead of flowers. I used Claire's Digital DP Celtic Squares and the quote is from the Words of Wisdom set. I sponged the oval before taking it out of the Nestability die.
Here is the inside of my card.
Come along and make a card using this great sketch! You can use any stamps on your card - but if you have Waltzingmouse Stamps we hope you'll use them !?!?

So get your sketch card created and add it to Mr. Linky over at the WMS Challenge blog ETA the deadline is THURSDAY 6/17 11:59 pm EST
If you load your card in your Splitcoast gallery please use WMSC2 in your keywords.

Stamps: Waltzingmouse Stamps - Words of Wisdom
Paper: White, enchanted evening, ripe avocado - PTI Digital DP - WMS Celtic Squares
Ink: Enchanted Evening, Ripe Avocado - PTI
Accessories: circle punches - 1", 3/4", 5/8", oval nestabilities, sponge, foam dimensionals

Speedy the Cats' Friends Challenge #7

Welcome to Speedy the Cats' Friends Saturday challenge! This week our challenge is to make your own designer paper using stamps.

I stamped this fun sentiment (A Fine Pear) repeatedly across my white card stock to create my DP. I first drew lines in pencil so I would stamp straight!!

Then I just added the sentiment popped up on foam dimensionals and the ribbon and charm. This card could be either a wedding or anniversary card.

The stamp set is a Mark's Finest Papers June release called Pears & Hollyhocks. The pretty gingham ribbon , gold thread and pear charm are also from Faith's store.

We'd love to have you join us in the challenges over on Marks Finest Papers Blog and to link your card there. You could win a free stamp set!

If you load your card over at Split Coast Stampers, please use Speedy's Friends in your keywords.

Stamps: Marks Finest Papers - Pears & Hollyhocks

Paper: White, spring moss - PTI

Ink: Spring Moss -PTI, Memento Tuxedo Black

Accessories: Ribbon, gold thread, pear charm - Marks Finest Papers, key tag punch, curly label punch- SU, foam dimensionals.

Friday, June 11, 2010

Friday Stamp Simply Challenge - Give it a Chance!

Welcome to my 2nd posting as the June Guest Designer for the Friday Stamp Simply Challenges!! This weeks challenge is to use those unfinished pieces you created and then didn't use for some reason. We all have baskets or drawers or just plain piles of these little half finished projects don't we?!?

The pieces I had already made and put aside and used today are the die cut stamped heart and the die cut blue felt flower.

The stamps on this card are all by Waltzingmouse - the heart is from Seasons of Love and the sentiment is from Celtic Heritage.

We'd love to have you join along in the Stamp Simply Challenge with us this week! You can play anytime, as many times as you want! If you upload your creation to Splitcoaststampers, please use keyword, ssnotime143. And don't forget to upload over on Sharon's Mr Linky!~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

Check the wonderfully talented Stamp Simply Challenge Designers to see how they used their unfinished pieces.

Sharon Johnson: No Time To Stamp?
Julia Aston (me!) : Create with Me - June GUEST DESIGNER
Deb Neerman: Paper, Ink, Scissors & Stamps
Barbara Anders: Paper Pursuits
Jenny Gropp: One Krafty Kat.
Janine Orchard: 2bKrafty
AJ Otto: The Willow Garden
Deb Saaranen: Dream In Color (taking a break this week)
Barb Schram: Explore Dream Discover

Stamps: Waltzingmouse - Seasons of Love, Celtic Heritage
Paper: White, Sweet Blush - PTI
Ink: Memento Tuxedo Black, Sweet Blush - PTI
Accessories: fancy tags shapeabilities, heart nestabilities, blue felt, flower die - PTI, Cuttlebug, sticky gems, Martha Stewart Butterfly punch, foam dimensionals, sponge

Wednesday, June 9, 2010

Marks Finest Papers - Pears & Hollyhocks Blog Hop


Mark's Finest Papers' Design Teams are celebrating our NEWEST STAMP RELEASE with a Blog Hop! All 4 sets are available TODAY!

Today we are all using the pretty new set Pears & Hollyhocks

For your chance to win BLOG CANDY, visit and comment on each of the following design team members' blogs

On Saturday, (June 12, 2010), a winner will be chosen FOR EACH DAY from those participants who visited all the blogs listed for that day! (4 different winners, one winner for each day.) (THAT MEANS IF YOU MISSED A DAY, YOU STILL HAVE OTHER CHANCES TO WIN! And, you can go back and comment, as the winners will be chosen Saturday morning!)

The 4 Winners will be announced on the Mark's Finest Papers Blog on June 12, 2010. Each winner will receive 1 Stamp Set that will be released NEXT month!

Here are the DT blogs that are participating in the hop today - so check them all out and leave a comment on each one!

June Guest Designer- Samantha- http://www.taylorstamped.blogspot.com/

Nancyruth - http://nancyruthat.blogspot.com/

Lois - http://clownmomcreations.blogspot.com/

Vicky- http://www.villagestamperramblings.blogspot.com/

Jeanne - http://nannysroom.wordpress.com/

Faith - http://stampinwithmarkiesmom.blogspot.com/

Vicki- http://allidoisstamp.blogspot.com/
Joanne: http://sleepyinseattlestamps.blogspot.com/
Julia (Me!)- http://createwithjulia.blogspot.com/
Cathleen- http://crookedcardcreations.com/
Claudine- http://cardsbyclaudine.blogspot.com/

Mark’s Finest Papers - http://marksfinestpapers.blogspot.com/

and here is where you can purchase all the new June releases! - Marks Finest Papers

Stamps: Marks Finest Papers - Pears & Hollyhocks

Paper: textured blue, textured green, black - Marks Finest Papers

Ink: Memento Tuxedo Black

Accessories: EK success edge punch, black pearl - Amuse, Copics: G00, G21, G40, BG10, Vo6, V12, R32, R35, Y17

Tuesday, June 8, 2010

Colorful Panels of Birthday


Today's color challenge on Split Coast was to use Coral, Turquoise, Ruby Red and the 'dessert' option of using Ric Rac. I got it all on to my card today!
I made a masculine b'day card using Mercy's Tuesday Sketch and the Diamond Plate Cuttlebug embossing folder.
I added the ric rac on a diagonal and popped a few colored circles on it to draw your eye around the card.
Stamps: Rubbernecker - Stamp Oasis Sentiments #2 - #218 SO
Paper: tempting turquoise, Cameo Coral, Ruby Red, Basic Black - SU, white - PTI
Ink: Memento Tuxedo Black, Ruby Red - SU
Accessories: sponge dauber, foam dimensionals, diamong plate cuttlebug embossing folder, ric rac - Michaels, 3/4" circle punch

Monday, June 7, 2010

Be Happy Together - Forever

The CAS challenge over at Split Coast was to create a card using a greeting as your main focal point. For my card - I embossed a Labels 12 nestie frame using two sizes of the die. Then I just stamped the greeting inside the frame and added a leaf frond charm tied with a knot of gold cord.

The greeting is from the stamp set Pears and Hollyhocks by Mark's Finest Papers and will be available to purchase tomorrow (6/8)! The paper, charm and cord are also MFP. I think this card would be great for either a wedding or anniversary card don't you?
I'll be participating in the MFP DT blog hop on Wednesday using other stamps from this set so I hope you can come back to check that out!

Stamps: Marks Finest Papers - Pears & Hollyhocks (available 6/8)
Paper: textured cream - Marks Finest Papers
Ink: Memento Tuxedo Black
Accessories: charm & gold cord - Marks Finest Papers, Labels 12 Nestabilities, cuttlebug, glue dot

The technique challenge at Split Coast was to create a card that is personal and also uses a favorite technique.

I printed this photo of my husband's parents, Marjorie and Charlie onto cream cardstock.
Marjorie just passed away a week ago at the age of 94 and Charlie passed away 7 years ago at the age of 89. As they both wished to be cremated - we will be having a joint burial next week and a little party celebrating the love they had for each other and the love they gave to their family and friends.

This is a picture of them about 20 years ago when they took a long anticipated trip to Hawaii. They are dressed in their matching Hawaiian print outfits! In recent years, Marjorie would wear Charlie's shirt in her assisted living apartment.

One of my favorite techniques is to stamp a sentiment directly on a printed photograph and that is what I did here. This lovely sympathy verse is from a set called Irish Blessings by Waltzingmouse Stamps

I'm going to make two of these and send them to my DH's sister and brother -I think they will appreciate them!

Stamps: Waltzingmouse Stamps - Irish Blessings
Paper: white, vintage cream - PTI, Pacific Blue - SU
Ink: Memento Tuxedo Black
Accessories: Martha Stewart corner punch, sticky pearls